GHSAA Euro 7s: Get To Know Your All-Americans

Twelve athletes from all over the country have assembled to represent USA, a guest nation to Rugby Europe's U18 7s Championship, in Vichy, France. As the players get ready to compete on an international stage this weekend, some for the first time, we checked in to learn more about how they found rugby, where they have played, and what they are excited about. Learn more about the coaches who helped these girls get to this international stage here.

Alex DiMarco

Hometown:Malvern, PACurrent team:White Horse Girls Rugby7's Position(s): Prop, Flyhalf, CenterGHSAA appearances: 3Fun fact: I got certified to scuba dive when I was 10.How did you get into rugby: My dad and older sister played and I went out to one practice and fell in love with it.What are you most excited about for the upcoming tour: Getting a chance to beat Canada.

Brianna Vasquez

Hometown:La Habra, CACurrent team:South Bay Spartans7's Position(s): Wing, Scrumhalf, CenterGHSAA appearances: 6Fun fact:For being so small, I can eat more food than half of the people on my team.How did you get into rugby:My best friend Katie invited me out to a training and introduced me to the sport. After the first practice I fell in love with the game.What are you most excited about for the upcoming tour:I'm looking forward to the competition of playing against new international teams. As well as continuing to improve and learn as a player.

Cassidy Bargell [Captain]

Hometown:Summit, COCurrent team:Summit Rugby7's Position(s): Wing, Scrumhalf, Center, HookerGHSAA appearances: 5Fun fact: I am really terrified of bumblebees. I have never been stung before but they really scare me probably more than they should.How did you get into rugby: At my school rugby is the sport a lot of girls play because we don't have a cheer team or anything like that, so I started playing rugby because all my friends did.What are you most excited about for the upcoming tour: I'm most excited to meet a new team of players and learn how we work best together and mesh. Being in a foreign country brought our team super close last year and I'm looking forward to building on those connections with Kat, Jules and Lolo and making new ones with new team members!

Charity Tenney

Hometown:Orem, UTCurrent team:Lindenwood University 7's Position(s): WingGHSAA appearances: FirstFun fact: I'm Samoan & Maori but people think my heritage I'm AsianHow did you get into rugby: My older sister Eternity who used to play for BYU.What are you most excited about for the upcoming tour: Playing with some of the most talented players in the US.

Delaney Rakuita

Hometown: Herriman, UTCurrent team:Atavus Lions Academy 7's Position(s): Center, WingGHSAA appearances: 1Fun fact:I am going to get three dogs when I am older, a pug named nug, an English bull dog named nugget and any really big dog named grape (my aunt says this is not a fact but a wish for a future so I guess the fun fact could be I do not ever listen to her).How did you get into rugby:My father played when he lived in Fiji, because of mental health issues he left before I was born and committed suicide when I was nine years old so I never met him. But playing rugby is the thing that makes me feel closer to him and makes the distance between heaven and earth seem a little bit shorter. I know every single time I play that he is right beside me cheering me on like he would have done if he were still alive. I got into the sport to have a connection with my dad, I fell in love with the sport and never want to lose that connection.What are you most excited about for the upcoming tour: Being able to travel to a new place because of my love and skill of rugby. I am excited to be surround by amazing rugby players and coaches and being able to constantly learn new things with them.

Emily Henrich

Hometown: Orchard Park, NYCurrent team:Orchard Park Rugby Club 7's Position(s): Prop, CenterGHSAA appearances: 3Fun fact:I play the harp.How did you get into rugby: Both my parents played in and after college. They put me in a flag rugby program when I was 6 in Niagara, Canada.What are you most excited about for the upcoming tour: I'm excited to have an opportunity to play international teams other than Canada. All my other tours with the All-Americans, I've only played Canadian teams.

Falelua Stowers

Hometown: Provo, UTCurrent team:United 7's Position(s): PropGHSAA appearances: FirstFun fact:I like different kinds of music, a variety of genres.How did you get into rugby: My older sister and my dad.What are you most excited about for the upcoming tour: The experience and the opportunity that I have to play for the USA. It's pretty cool.

Julia Riekena

Hometown: Missoula, MTCurrent team:Missoula Vixens 7's Position(s): PropGHSAA appearances: 5Fun fact:I am a member of the Nationals Honor Society.How did you get into rugby: My brothers.What are you most excited about for the upcoming tour: Going back to France as I have taken 6 years of French in school.

Kathyrn Stowers [Vice Captain]

Hometown: Provo, UTCurrent team: BYU7's Position(s): ScrumhalfGHSAA appearances: 1Fun fact: I have no collar bones and that's why my shoulders are way droopy. (I mean just look lol)How did you get into rugby:My dad had us go outside and play a game where you pass the ball backwards, and he had all sorts of vocabulary and I was lost. But later, my sister and some family friends started the Lady Stallions and that's when I tied together what my dad had been saying. I was playing rugby!What are you most excited about for the upcoming tour: I'm excited to get to know the game of rugby better but I am mostly excited to build friendships. Especially this year I have my cousin and little sister with me. I am excited to play with them again!

Kiarah Mosley

Hometown: Kansas City, MOCurrent team: Lady Jays / KC United7's Position(s): ScrumhalfGHSAA appearances: 1Fun fact: I really enjoy being around younger kids and I'd like to teach someday!How did you get into rugby: My older sisters played while I was middle school and it persuaded to me to play when I got into high school.What are you most excited about for the upcoming tour: I'm really excited to be in a different country and see a higher-level play of rugby. If we do get to sight see, I think it would be really cool to see the city!

Lolo Makaafi

Hometown: Seattle, WACurrent team: Kent Crusaders7's Position(s): PropGHSAA appearances: 4Fun fact:I like to think I know how to dance.How did you get into rugby: A few friends and just watching videos on YouTube. Once I was introduced to the community and vibes you get from everyone who plays, I was in.What are you most excited about for the upcoming tour: Excited to go against new faces, especially countries we don't usually get to compete against. Everybody has a different style of play and it's nice to challenge yourself with what they bring.

Mckenzie Borchers

Hometown: Kingwood, TXCurrent team: Kingwood Rugby Club7's Position(s): Hooker, CenterGHSAA appearances: 1Fun fact:I played soccer for 13 years.How did you get into rugby:My dad played rugby in college, so when I found out there was a girls rugby club in my town I quickly joined.What are you most excited about for the upcoming tour: Playing rugby at the international level and visiting a country I've never been to.

Tournament play kicks off Saturday, September 16th and can be live streamed here. USA is in Pool B of the Rugby Europe U18 7s Championship and will face the following nations on day one: